YVR Welcomes Canada’s First All-Freight Cargo Service to Mainland China

Richmond, B.C.; July 5, 2011: Vancouver International Airport today welcomed Canada’s first all-freight cargo flight from Mainland China, operated by its newest carrier, China Southern Airlines. The Boeing 777-200F freighter touched down at 1:35 a.m. and departed at 3:35 a.m., carrying goods from British Columbia and surrounding areas bound for Shanghai, China’s industrial and manufacturing centre. The service is scheduled to operate four times per week, with a maximum capacity of 110 tonnes on every flight, providing British Columbian businesses with unprecedented access to the growing Chinese market.

Perishable goods that are in high demand, such as B.C.-grown berries and crab, salmon and other seafood, will regularly make the trip from YVR to Shanghai, where they yield high value on the Chinese market. China Southern’s service also offers benefits beyond B.C.’s borders: YVR’s strategic Pacific Rim location, combined with access to North America’s railway and highway systems, makes the service a viable option for businesses in the Pacific Northwest region and across Canada that want to ship goods quickly to China.

Cargo is already a significant component of YVR’s activities, employing 3,300 people in more than 100 businesses. In 2010, the airport facilitated shipment of 228,000 tonnes of cargo, representing a total value of C$10 billion. While freight is typically shipped in the cargo hold of passenger aircraft, this China Southern all-freighter flight uses both the main deck and cargo hold. The expanded capacity provides space for large goods that cannot fit in the cargo space of passenger aircraft, such as machinery, engineering equipment and generators.

“We commend China Southern Airlines on its commitment to our airport and province with the inauguration of all-cargo service between YVR and Shanghai,” said Tony Gugliotta, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Today’s flight marks a significant milestone in the growth of YVR as a key international gateway for cargo on the West Coast of North America.”

YVR’s Pacific Rim location, combined with a thriving seaport and established rail and trucking routes to key North American cities, make Vancouver an ideal hub for cargo. More than 100 businesses and almost 3,300 employees at YVR are involved in the cargo industry.

Today’s inaugural cargo flight follows the June 15 announcement of China Southern’s first passenger service connecting Guangzhou, China to YVR three times weekly.

About Vancouver Airport Authority

Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that operates Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) served 16.8 million passengers in 2010 and handled more than 293,000 aircraft landings and take-offs. Sixty-seven airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to 119 destinations in Canada, the U.S. and around the world. The Airport Authority is committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor.